Lancaster Outreach Center, an interfaith social service agency, is committed to relieving suffering, restoring dignity, and promoting self-sufficiency by providing assistance and support to the people of South Dallas County.
Lancaster Outreach Center (LOC), in its current form has been serving Lancaster, Wilmer, and Hutchins for twelve years, but its real history and beginning can be traced back to the 50’s. It began when a small group of concerned Lancaster citizens started providing emergency food and clothing.
In connection with this early effort, a thrift store was established at the
old school on Second Street to make clothing readily available. The thrift
store, operated solely by volunteers, as it still is today, was moved several
times over the years, being subject to available donated space. We do not know
how much revenue the thrift store generated 40 years ago, but revenues in recent
years have grown from $ 10,000 in 1989, to $102,000 in 2000.
LOC was formalized in 1971 as the Lancaster Welfare Fund, operated by the Lancaster Ministerial Alliance. The office and food pantry was located at various churches in town during this time. The name of the organization was changed to Lancaster Outreach Center when it became a separate entity in 1986. At this time, Jan Pruitt was hired to manage the increasing demand for assistance, and a formalized method for providing screening and assisting applicants was implemented.
With primary funding still coming from local churches and added support from the civic clubs, the United Way, and individuals, LOC helped twice as many people by 1987 as it had during the prior three years combined.
In 1988, donated land, and labor provided the main facility on Randlett
Street. Five
additional properties have been added since then, including a
commercial building for the Thrift Store, a Counseling Center, a small
apartment, and storage areas. In 2000, a 2,500 square foot expansion was
completed adding additional room for both social services and counseling. This
addition includes a Client Choice Food Pantry, a Classroom/Group Counseling
Room, Computer Lab, and Individual Counseling Rooms. The store, known as "Granny’s
Storehouse," was named in honor and memory of the beloved volunteer and
part-time employee, Meda "Granny" Wheat. This property was added
following the April 1994 tornado, and was remodeled by volunteers.
This growth of our "home base" has enabled LOC to reach even further into the communities to address the needs that keep growing even faster than LOC. Relieving suffering, restoring human dignity, and promoting self sufficiency continue to be goals we emphasize on a daily basis.
The majority of LOC’s clients are indeed employed. They are productive members of society, who due to some short-term crisis are unable to "make ends meet." Some clients need professional assistance and education to better manage their daily responsibilities—things many of us take for granted. The Center seeks permanent solutions rather than a temporary handout. We believe in the ancient proverb, "To hand someone a fish feeds them but for a day; to teach them how to fish, feeds them for a lifetime."
Lancaster Outreach Center is not just in the emergency assistance business. While we continue with ongoing efforts to combat suffering by providing food, clothing, furniture, rent/utility assistance, job placement, and transportation; we realize we must continue to do more. Our other objectives of restoring dignity and promoting self-sufficiency are being met through licensed counseling, assistance to senior citizens, social service assistance to schools and police, and school supplies and Christmas programs. The traditional "welfare handout" is being replaced by programs which require an investment and responsibility on the part of the client. There is nothing better than seeing a Mom or Dad filled with confidence and esteem because they were able to provide for their family.
The current wave of welfare reform presents many challenges that a "pat on the back and a sack of groceries" simply will not solve. LOC is moving to confront these issues, but we can only succeed with the prayers, volunteer efforts, and financial support of involved citizens and organizations.
Ronnie Lowe--Executive
Director
RLowe@l-o-c.org
